Refrigerator with inventory monitoring and management system
US11561125B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 10, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2700/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A detection system for estimating a weight of one or more items in a refrigerator is disclosed. The system comprises at least one shelf; at least one transducer configured to transmit a sonic or ultrasonic wave into the at least one shelf and capture the reflected or refracted wave from the shelf; and a processor configured to estimate the weight of the one or more items on the shelf from the sonic or ultrasonic wave received from the at least one transducer. The system further comprises a plurality of cameras configured to capture images of the one or more items on the shelf. The cameras are configured to capture images of the items while on the shelf and off the shelf, which are then used to identify the items and the changes in weight of those items. Items may be automatically reorder based on their weight or change in weight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.